Spear



Mar. 3, 1925. 1,528,561

J. D. NIXON SPEAR Filed Aug. 4. 1923 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Mar. 3, 1925.

'J. D. NIXON S PEAR Filed A112. 24. 1923 Mar. 3, 1925.

J. D. NIXON sPEAR Filed Aug. 24. 1923 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 WW ag/ Patented Mar. 3, 1925.

UNITED- STATES.

PATENT OFFICE.

JEDDY D. -NIXON, 0-1 HOUSTON, TEXAS, ASSIGNOR TO W-K-M'. COMPANY, INC., 01

HOUSTON, TEXAS, A. CORPORATION OF TEXAS. i

SPEAR.

Application filed August 24, 1923. Serial No. 659,064.

To whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Jenny D. NIXON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Houston, in the county of Harris and State of Texas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in a Spear, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to new and useful lIIlSIOVBIHGIltS in a spear.

ne object of the inventlon is to provide a device of the character described, the general purpose of which is to handle pipe in a well bore.

Another object of the invention is to provide a tool so constructed that it may be lowered into .a pipe in a well bore, and grappled therewith, and through which the pipe may be pulled from the bore; the tool also embodies a construction whereby itmay be released from the pipe, and withdrawn in case the pipe cannot'be pulled, or when it may be desired to release the tool from the ll further object of the invention is to provide a tool which may be used with cable tool drilling apparatus, or with a rotary rig, for setting pipe of any character, in the well bore, and then releasing the pipe, when set.

A still further object of the invention resides in a spear or tool,' of the class described, which may be readily utilized, in connection with cable tool drilling apparatus, in the process of driving ipe into the bore, and which may be rea ily released from the pipe when the pipe has been driven home.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention has particular relation to certain novel features of construction, operation, use, and arrangement of parts, an example of which is'given in this specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 showsa side view of the'device in a pipe, ina non-engaging position therewith. j

Figure 2 shows a side view thereof, partly in section, shown engaged withthe pipe end taken at-rightangles to view shown in Fig- Figure 4 shows'a transverse sectional view, thereof, taken on the line 44.- of Figure 3;

' Figure 5 shows a transverse sectional View thereof, taken on the line 55 of Figure 3.

Figure 6 shows a transverse sectional view tion in a pipe to be driven in the well bore,

and equipped also with the pin for the attachment of said jars thereto.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, wherein like numerals of refer.- ence desi nate similar parts in each of the figures, t e numeral 1 designates the pipe to be pulled. The numeral 2 designates the mandrel, which is tubular in form and has the water course 3 leading downwardly therethrough from its upper to its lower end. This mandrel is, suitably attached to the lower end of the tubular stem 4, preferably by the coupling 5. The lower end of the mandrel is gradually enlarged, or flared, forming the head 6, whose lower end is rounded off, or tapered, to facilitate its entrance into the pipe. The numeral 7 designates a sleeve-like anchor which is slidably mounted on the mandrel, above the head. The jaws, hereinafter described, have their upper ends attached to this anchor, and the latter forms an instrumentality, both for releasin the jaws from the pipe when desired, and a so for setting the jaws in position to engage the tool with the pipe.

A plurality of pipe engaging jaws 8, are provided, forming expanslble means through which the tool may be engaged with the pipe tobe pulled. The lower end of each jaw is tapered, or wedgeshaped, and provided with exterior, engaging, teeth, of a form best adapted to engagethe inside of the pipe 1. The lower end of the sleeve 7 has an internal annular groove 9, and the upper end of each jaw is formed with an extended shank having an exterior arcuate flange or rib, 10, which fits in said groove, thereby forming means for anchoring the jaws to the sleeve. The jaws, in cross-sectional contour, are arcuate, to conform to the shape of'the mandrel, and the contour of the pipe as well.

The sleeve has suitable friction members, as 11, 11, preferably yieldable, secured thereto. As shown, these friction members are in the form of flat, outwardly curved springs, whose upper ends are suitably anchored to the sleeve. These springs work in shallow vertical grooves, 12, 12, cut in the sleeve, which'prevent their displacement, laterally, in case the tool is turned in the pipe. The purpose of these friction members is to hold the sleeve stationary in the pipe to make it possible to release the jaws or set them in engaging position, and at the same time they grip the pipe so lightly as to permit the tool to be easily inserted into or withdrawn from the pipe, when the jaws are in non-engaging position.

The sleeve has a vertical slot 13, which at its lower end is widened each way thus forming the shoulders 14, 14, which are formed with notches, or seats, preferably arcuate in form; and the sleeve has a stud 15 which works through said slot and may be seated in either of said seats in the manner, and for the purposes hereinafter described. When the stud 15 is seated in the notch of either shoulder 14, it is obvious that the sleeve will be held in what may be designated as elevated position, so that the jaws 8 will be held suspended above the flared head 6, and in this position said jaws will be in non-engaging position. The tool may now be freely moved up or down in the pipe, through the stem 4. The resistance of the friction members 11 may be easily overcome to accomplish this movement. If it now be desired to set the tool, that is, to bring it into pipe engaging position, the mandrel is lowered through the stem 4, to unseat the stud l5 and the mandrel is then turned to align the stud with the slot 13. The mandrel is then elevated, carrying the flared head up between the jaws 8 and expanding the same into pipe engaging position, as shown in Figure 2. During these operations the sleeve will be held stationary by the friction members.

If an upward pull be now exerted through the stem, the head, wedging in between said jaws will cause them, to securely grip the pipe. If the pipe is so tightly stuck in the bore that it cannot be withdrawn, or if for any other reason it is desired to release the pipe, the mandrel may be lowered, thus carrying the head downwardly to release the jaws, and the mandrel may then be turned to seat the stud 15 againstone of the shoulders 14, and an upward pull on the mandrel will carry the sleeve and jaws along with it, said jaws being thus held in non-engaging position. It

is thus apparent that the tool may be readily inserted into the pipe, and readily engaged therewith, as well as disengaged therefrom, and withdrawn. It is also to be observed that the tool may be released from the pipe and again set for engagement, therewith, and again engaged with the pipe without the necessity for withdrawing the tool from the pipe for resetting it, therein constituting a great improvement over tools for similar purposes, now in common use.

In Figures 3 to 6, inclusive, the device is collar 16 fitted over the upper end of the sleeve 7, which is held in place by the set screw 17, and the upper end of this collar is formed with an inwardly turned annular flange which forms an abutment '18 to receive the coupling 5 and sustain the weight of the said stem to prevent the set screw from shearing off.

In setting the liner 19, or other pipe, the tool is engaged in the upper end thereof, and the pipe is then gradually lowered into the bore by the stem 4. When the pipe reaches bottom, the Weight of the tool, and stem, will be carried by the stop collar 16, which rests upon the upper end of the pipe, or a coupling 20, attached to the upper end thereof, said coupling 5, then resting upon the abutment 18, as explained. Without this stop collar 16, the tool would continue to descend, relative to the pipe or liner 18, after said pipe or liner had been seated. When the tool is used for setting purposes, as explained, the upper end of a wash pipe 21 is threaded into the lower end of the water course 3, as shown in Figure 3. This wash pipe extends any desired distance on down into the bore, and through it water may be supplied to the bore, to wash it out in advance of the pipe or liner being set.

In fishing for pipe lost in a bore, this form of the tool is desirable where the pipe to be recovered has upset, or thickened ends, and it is desired to engage the tool with the pipe to be recovered at or near its upper end. In such cases when the tool enters the upper end of the pipe it is stopped by said collar 16, and may then be engaged with the pipe as above explained.

In the form shown in Figures 7 and 8, the tool is substantially similar to that shown in Figures 1 and 2, the chief difference consisting of the pins 22, 22, formed at the respective ends of the mandrel 2. These pins are provided for the attachment of the jars, used in connection with cable tool drilling equipment. The construction shown in these Figures 7 and 8. This .type

- and said jaws being in released position, the

of tool is designed to be used in connection with cable tools for withdrawing stuck pipe, or for driving pipe into the bore as it is deepened'in cable tool drilling.

As shown in Figure 7, the tool is lowered into the pipe by the usual cable, and while being lowered the sleeve 7 will be held elevated relative to the mandrel by the friction members 11. This will hold the jaws above the flared head so that they will not engage with the pipe while the tool is being lowered and the weight of the cable tools will be sufficient to overcome the friction of the members 11, and force the tool downwardly in the pipe, the required distance. WVhen it is desired to set the tool to engage it with the pipe, the cable may be manipulated to shift the stud 15 into alignment with the slot 13, and an upward pull will then cause the jaws 8 to expand and engage with the pipe as 'hereinbefore explained, and in order to release the jaws, the cable may be released sufficiently to permit the head, to release the jaws 8 and carry the stud 15 below the shoulders 14, and ,then turned to carry said stud underneath one of said shoulders, and an upward pull on said cable will then elevate the mandrel and sleeve 7 and the jaws carried by said sleeve,

" tool may be easily withdrawn from the pipe.

As illustrated "in Figure 8, the tool isemployed for driving pipe in cable tool drilling. The position of the tool, when used for this purpose is reversed, that is, the head end of the mandrel is attached to the jars and the stud 15 is engaged on one of the shoulders 14, and the tool then let down into the pipe. When the desired point is reached, the stud is unseat'ed and the mandrel turned to align the stud with the slot 13, and the cable then released to permit the head 6 to descend between the jaws 8, to spread them into engagement with the pipe 23, as illustrated in said Figure 8.

The cable tool jars may then be manipu lated in the well known manner to drive the pipe home.

It is obvious that certain mechanical variations may be made without departin from the principle of the invention, as or example the slot 13, and'shoulders 14, may be formed in the mandrel, and the stud 15 may be carried by the sleeve 7, and project inwardly through said slot, and thus accomplish the same result. Other mechanical changes may be also made, but I have shown what I now consider the preferred form of into released the invention. However, I reserve the right to make such mechanical variations in the structural details as will not depart from the scope of the invention, as defined by the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A tool of the character described, in cluding expansible pipe engaging means, a carrying member anchored to. said means, friction means for holding said member stationary in a pipe, an actuating member capable of movement into one position to expand said engaging means intopipe en'- gaging osition, and into another positlon to permit said, engaging means to contract positlon, and interlocking means for holdln said actuating member in said last name ing means being releasable through a partial rotation of said actuating member.

2. A tool of the character described, includin expansible pipe engaging means, an expan er, a carrying member slidable on the expander, and connected to said means, said expander being movable into one position relative to said means, to expand the same into pipe engaging position, and being movable into another osition, relative to said means, to permit t e same to contract into released position, interlocking means throughjwhich the expanderland carr ing. member may be interlocked to hold'sai exander in said last mentioned position, said nterlocking means being adapted to be released by a partial rotation of the expander in one direction.

3. A tool of the character described including a mandrel formed with a flared head which is fixed thereto, a carrier slidably mounted on the mandrel, expansible pipe engaging means connected to the carrier, said mandrel being movable into one position, relative to the carrier to carry said head into position to expand said means, and being movable into another position to release said head from said means and means releasable through a partial rotation of the mandrel, for holding said mandrel in said "last mentioned position relative to said means.

. 4. Atool of the character described," including a mandrel having a flared head,

position, said interlockwhich forms a unit therewith, a carrier slidably mounted thereon, expansible pipe enaging means connected to the carrier, means or holding said carrier in fixed position relative to said pipe, said mandrel and head being capable of movement into one position, to expand said means into pi e engag-fi in position, through said head, an into another position to release said head from )said means to wit said means to contact into non engagang position, and interlocking means carried by said mandrel and carrier through which the mandrel and head are held in said last named position, said interlocking means being releasable by the partial rotation of the mandrel.

5. A spear including a mandrel having a flared head, a sleeve-like anchor thereon, one of said members having a lengthwise slot which is widened at one end, forming an abrupt shoulder, a projection carried by the other member, and working in said slot, expansiblc pipe engaging means connected to said anchor, said projection being adapted to interlock with said shoulder to hold said mandrel out of contact with said means, and being releasable therefrom, to permit said mandrel to move into position to expand said means through said head.

6. A spear including a mandrel having a flared head, a sleeve-like anchor thereon, one of said members having a lengthwise slot which is widened at one end forming an abrupt shoulder, a projection carried by the other member, and working in said slot, expansible pipe engaging means connected to said anchor, said projection being adapted to interlock with said shoulder to hold said mandrel out of contact with said means, and' being releasable therefrom, to permit said mandrel to move into position to expand said means through said head, and friction means carried by said anchor for fixing the same against movement in the pipe during said movement of said mandrel.

7. A spear including a mandrel having a flared section, said mandrel and flared section forming a unit, a carrier movable lengthwise on the mandrel, an expansible pipe engaging means connected to the carrier, the flared section of the mandrel being disposed to expand said means when moved into one position relative to the carrier, and to release said means to permit the same to contract when moved into another position relative to said carrier, and a stop carried by the mandrel adapted to engage against the upper end of the pipe to be pulled.

8. A spear including a mandrel having a flared section, a carriermovable lengthwise on the mandrel, an expansible pipe engaging means connected to the carrier, the flared section of the mandrel being dis osed toexpand said means when moved lnto one position relative to the carrier, and to release said means to permit the same to contract when moved into another position relative to said carrier, a stop carried by the spear adapted to limit. the insertion of the spear into the pipe to be pulled, and yieldable friction means holding the carrier stationary in the pipe during said movement of the mandrel.

9. A tool of the character described including a mandrel whose lower end is flared, a carrier slidably and rotatably mounted on said mandrel, expansible pipe engaging means connected to the carrier and disposed around the mandrel, means limiting the relative movement of the mandrel and carrier, said means including a bearing stud carried by one of said members, the other member having an elongated longitudinal bearing formed with a lateral notch, said stud working in said bearing, and friction means carried by the carrier and adapted to hold the carrier stationary in said pipe.

10. A tool of the character described including a mandrel whose lower end is flared, a carrier slidably and rotatably mounted on said mandrel, expansible pipe engaging means connected to the carrier and disposed around the mandrel, means limiting the relative movement of the mandrel and carrier, said means including a bearing stud carried by one of said members, the other member having an elongated longitudinal bearing. formed with a lateral notch, said stud working in said bearing, and a stop carried by the tool adapted to engage against the upper end of the pipe to be pulled.

11. A tool of the character described including an expansible pipe engaging means, a carrier sup orting said means, friction means for hol ing said carrier stationary in a pipe by friction, an actuating member hav ing a water course therethrough from end;

to end and capable of movement in one position to expand said engaging means into pipe engaging position, and into another position to permit said engaging means to contract into released position, and interlocking means for holding said actuating member in said last named position.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribmg witnesses.

J EDDY l). NIXON.

Witnesses:

E. V. HARDWAY, W. H. I)UNLAY.

lUl) 

